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Old 02-12-2016, 03:34 PM   #21
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I put the B&W turnover ball hitch with the heavy duty Companion hitch in my 2012 F-350 long bed dually. Best hitch, and made in America!
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Old 02-12-2016, 04:17 PM   #22
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This is the hitch that I have been using... (click here)
It came with my truck years ago and it has served me well.

I also upgraded the pin box .....
Love it !!!
If your hitch has the air bags then this is redundant.

Hope this helps

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Old 02-12-2016, 06:56 PM   #23
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One other aspect of the Reese Goosebox is that there is nothing to put in or out of the bed except for the ball which weighs about 7 lbs. I about broke my back putting my old fifth hitch in and out. I'm just getting to old for the heavy lifting. According to Etrailer, the base of the companion is 131 lbs and the coupler weighs 75. Those are both to heavy for most older folks. Camping is to much fun to risk a back injury.
My 2 pennies...
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Old 02-12-2016, 08:11 PM   #24
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Congratulations! Can't help with the F series commentary. I will say, depending on your location, I have a nearly new B&W Companion for sale.

In any case, Congratulations!
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Old 02-12-2016, 10:15 PM   #25
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I have a 2010 F350 and have had the B&W companion from day one. Love it and IMHO the best on the market.
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Old 02-12-2016, 10:18 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Davidg View Post
One other aspect of the Reese Goosebox is that there is nothing to put in or out of the bed except for the ball which weighs about 7 lbs. I about broke my back putting my old fifth hitch in and out. I'm just getting to old for the heavy lifting. According to Etrailer, the base of the companion is 131 lbs and the coupler weighs 75. Those are both to heavy for most older folks. Camping is to much fun to risk a back injury.
My 2 pennies...
Very good point. I always had a forklift, crane, or young employees to take mine out for me.
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Old 02-13-2016, 02:32 AM   #27
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Love my B&W Companion in my F350 dully. Like the ease of removal for a "clean" pick-up bed. Towing a 40' unit with 4100# pin weight.
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Old 02-13-2016, 08:27 AM   #28
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I have been seriously looking at air ride hitches. Mainly the BD1 and BD3 by TrailerSaver. I am looking for a hitch that is easier on the passengers and the RV. Everything I have read has been favorable. Of course most of that has been marketing materials.
Other than the initial cost, is there any downside to these hitches?
I currently have a Reese 16K and a Reese Revolution pin box.
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Old 02-13-2016, 08:37 AM   #29
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Originally Posted by Blaster 84 View Post
I have been seriously looking at air ride hitches. Mainly the BD1 and BD3 by TrailerSaver. I am looking for a hitch that is easier on the passengers and the RV. Everything I have read has been favorable. Of course most of that has been marketing materials.

Other than the initial cost, is there any downside to these hitches?

I currently have a Reese 16K and a Reese Revolution pin box.

Other than cost?
No downside at all.
I have the bd3, and its amazing to just watch the pin float, up and down. Not moving the truck.

Don't think, just do it. You won't be sorry.


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Old 02-13-2016, 09:04 AM   #30
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Just a FYI; from the B&W website for the non-slider Companion hitches.

"The Companion, with its single-point-attachment, utilizes the B&W Turnoverball under-bed mounting system. The Turnoverball works as a gooseneck hitch as well. Product Weight: Base 131 lbs, Coupler 75 lbs."

"The Companion OEM, designed to fit the new Ford OEM hitch platform, installs and removes easily with its two-piece design. Product Weight: Base 78 lbs, Coupler 75 lbs."

I knew the base unit of my setup weighed "the same" as the coupler unit so I was curious and checked. There are two different setups (not counting the RAM OEM).
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Old 02-13-2016, 09:22 AM   #31
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Thanks Major, I was not aware they built 2 different hitches. But 75 lbs is still to heavy, esp compared to just a 7 lb turnover ball. Having my entire bed clear of bed rails is awesome though compared to having those stinkin rails, which I grew to hate along with the hitch that fastened to them. It was also a pain getting the latching pins installed that hold the hitch to the rails. It always seemed that the last one would not line up perfectly, and there was always about 10 minutes of "finessing" or "hammering" that last pin in place. I love not having to handle anything, just lower the fiver onto the ball, and go. Love the Goosebox!
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Old 02-13-2016, 01:29 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by Kenny kustom View Post
Other than cost?
No downside at all.
I have the bd3, and its amazing to just watch the pin float, up and down. Not moving the truck.

Don't think, just do it. You won't be sorry.


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Buying it takes no thought at all, but paying for it does.
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Old 02-13-2016, 01:30 PM   #33
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Originally Posted by Blaster 84 View Post
Buying it takes no thought at all, but paying for it does.

He already knows the cost.
That wasn't a deciding factor.
It is a very, very good hitch.
Well worth the premium price.


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Old 02-13-2016, 04:10 PM   #34
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DavidG,
I'm ready to bite the bullet on the Gooseball. I need a clear bed when I'm not towing, and getting the two piece Companion in and out is just too much hassle for this old fart. I'm in Florida for the winter, and did not bring my gooseneck ball with me, or I'd do it now. Question for you is, how much 5er overhang to truck bed clearance do you have? I see B&W makes a taller ball, just wondering if you needed it, or does the ball that came with the turnover ball hitch adequate ?
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Old 02-13-2016, 04:32 PM   #35
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I have a B&W hitch on my 3500 Silverado and the times that I need a clean bed I just leave it attached to the pin on the camper and use my level-up to lift up the hitch. I figure that the pin can hold the hitch up, I keep a lock on the handle so it can't accidentally fall.


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Old 02-13-2016, 08:25 PM   #36
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Ultra, I have about 8" of clearance. When I bought the 29RE, I had the dealer install it. They set it up with only 6" of truck bed-rail to camper clearance. That was adequate for my 5 hour trip home, but as I was backing the camper at home, I found the clearance at 1/2". I couldn't live with that, so I lowered the Gooseball by one set of holes. The Goosebox comes in two versions; a 16,000 lb and a 20,000 lb unit. The 16,000 lb works great for my 29RE. I just installed a 20,000 lb Goosebox on a buddy's fiver that weighs over 17,000. Installation was a snap with help. While not impossible, it would be difficult alone. Also, you need a torque wrench that goes up to 210 ft-lbs. There is a YouTube video that goes into detail. I did not need a taller ball. The ball that came with the turnoverball hitch was adequate. Let me know if I can help.
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Old 02-14-2016, 11:15 AM   #37
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Thanks! I'll be pulling the trigger on this as soon as I get back home! Now looking for the best price for the 20k Goosebox. Looks like Carid, or Red Trailer, or e-trailer......
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Old 02-14-2016, 12:00 PM   #38
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Reese Puck 18K Elite

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Originally Posted by Lapo View Post
We are buying our first 5th wheel (Cedar Creek Silverback 29IK) and need a hitch for our F350. We're looking at a B&W companion. What do other F350 owners use/or recommend? Thanks for your input!
I have a puck series Reese 18K Elite for sale my truck has a short box so I needed a slider this Reese only has 1000 miles on it New Was $1400.00 sale price $700.00 you can buy the rails if you do not have the the puck hook up.
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